I really enjoyed reading through the different saints that had something to do with the homestead. I found lots of new saints, but feel like I don't know much more about them than when I started. I wish the author had maybe focused on fewer saints, but actually given the reader the story of each saint. This book serves as more of a reference for specific saints to pray for intersessions, but left me going to other websites or books to learn more about their lives. When I read about saints, I want to know why they were named a saint. I want the lesson and example of their lives.

If you have an interest in all the spiritual Saints connected with farming this is a way cool book. Learn what Saints you can call on, and on what days, to protect and provide at your homestead.

It's clear to me that the book was primarily written for an audience of Catholic families who choose to live off the produce of their work and raise their children in a rural setting, away from the chaos of the cities. My Catholic family doesn't embrace this lifestyle, and yet I found the book very enjoyable.

The last section has a devotional character and contains various prayers to saints and blessings for animals (which, however, must be administered by a priest; so I don't really see the utility of including them in a book for laypeople, who might get strange ideas from seeing them). But the previous chapters are truly a continuous series of anecdotes, surprises, and folkloric traditions related to saints and the farming world: really delightful, full of non-obvious curiosities, clearly the result of well-done research by the author.

Absolutely delightful, even if you've never set foot on a farm and don't even have a pet. Very enjoyable indeed.

Good enough for what it is, but what it is is somewhat underwhelming.

This is simply a list of saints, organized by area of patronage, oriented toward the farming community. There are a few personal anecdotes as sectional introductions, and a section of blessings and prayers at the back as a sort of appendix. All in all, there really isn't much new here.

Based on the synopsis, I was expecting wisdom from the saints and scripture regarding farming, fair practices, loving your neighbor, etc. Or perhaps a seasonal breviary of sorts. I was a tad disappointed.

I have read through different books about Saints, especially when trying to find titles to use with my kids when homeschooling. I wish this had been around earlier to use with my older boys.

When I think of farming, my mind jumps to St. Isidore the Farmer. But, there are so many other Saints connected to farming. There are multiple sections for this title. The book starts with Patron Saints of Creatures, Critters, Flying Things, Farm Animals, and their ailments. It then moves into Patron Saints of Farm-Related People and Occupations. Then Patron Saints of Places (e.g. an apple orchard), Patron Saints of Weather and Protectors against Natural Disasters, and then finally a group of Blessings and Prayers.

Each section begins with a rumination by the author. Then you dive into the Saints. For each Saint, you get some background on them including their feast date, particularly with their connection to agricultural concerns. Some Saints cover more than one 'area' and are referenced under each with only their first appearance having a full story.

This book would be a great title to have for anyone who is farming or has a homestead. But, it could also be a great title for other homeschool moms like me who want their kids to learn more about the Saints.

This charming, slightly quirky book is a collection of the known and lesser know saints and their relationship to the land and farming. I am enjoying dipping in and out of this book. It’s probably not one to be read from cover to cover in one sitting, but instead to be savoured. I’m not a farmer, but I could imagine this book would be useful as one encountered particular agricultural situations. Andie Andrews Eisenberg encourages the reader to recentre back to God through the blessings of the Saints when specific challenges are faced. The book is carefully and painstakingly researched and a delight to read.

This is several vignettes, would probably be best as "Saint of The Day". It's hard to read straight through, but is great for a small amount each day. This has several stories and thoughts of different lesser known straights and would make a great companion for someone starting their homestead with a life of prayer.

I received a free copy of, Farming and Homesteading with the Saints, by Andie Andrews Eisenberg, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I never realized there is a saint for protection for almost every animal and for most occupations. I have learned about a lot of saints I have never heard of before, and there feast day. I really enjoyed this book and learning about the saints.

I'm not Christian but I was born Catholic and there's a strong link between the saints and the life in the country. There's miracles for any need and issue.
It was a lovely read and I enjoyed it.
Highly recommended if you want to learn something about life in the country in the past and how people considered the metaphasic as a way of getting help.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I'm not catholic but I am a farmer and this was full of interesting information about the saints and certain topics relating to the title. I think it is cool that many miracles even involved animals and farm life because I know God cares about those things too and I can't wait to get to Heaven some day and meet all these saints and find out how true their stories were. Liked the prayers at the end too.

I can not wait to get my hands on a hard copy of this book! While it is self-advertised as a reference book. I had no problem reading it cover-to-cover. It is full of unique Saints and Saints we all know and love! I learned so much about my little mini homestead and my catholic community of Saints. I have already recommended this book to many friends and family. This is a great book to have on hand for any gardener or homesteader.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Loyola Press for the advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

My husband has been into all things homesteading and I requested this book on his behalf. He really enjoyed it.

This book was interesting, but I feel like the description is a little off. It is a book about each problem you can have as a farmer or gardener and the saint that parallels it.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

A simple and easy to read look at the different saints and how they got their names and which ones cover over different aspects of farming and homesteading life. The last quarter of the book is prayers for different situations that come up in farm life as well as blessings over the animals, the equipment etc.
I enjoyed reading this and it didn’t take me long to go through it and it would make a good reference book to have on hand.
Thanks to Loyola Press and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

Started reading it and quickly stopped. There's NO biblical hierarchy of saints. The historical aspect of saints and praying specific prayers can be linked to pagans of Rome who worshipped multiple Roman gods becoming Christian because of the emperor Constantine's transformation. The need or belief that different "gods" probably translated into saints in the Catholic and eventually the Eastern Orthodox churches. I wouldn't recommend this to any bible believing saint. Remember, all saved people are saints- just as scripture says.

*I received this from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I believe I misunderstood the description. I definitely am not the target audience for this book. It’s just a collection of protection prayers/ blessings.